Anti-clog suction tip apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip having a suction opening and an interior defining a suction channel. An ejection wire channel extends to a wire exit opening into the suction channel that is located proximate the suction opening. An ejection wire including a ball tip at an end thereof occupies the ejection wire channel and is transitionable between a retracted configuration and an advanced configuration such that, in the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tip is retained within the ejection wire channel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suction channel; and in the advanced configuration, the ball tip of the ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application incorporates herein by reference each of:U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/466,700; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/071,602; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,055; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/596,036; U.S. patent applicationpublication 2015/0073362; U.S. patent application publication2014/0135717; U.S. patent application publication 2013/0072911; U.S.patent application publication no. 2013/0053828; International patentapplication PCT/US12/52413; U.S. provisional patent application61/614,915; and U.S. provisional patent application 61/527,123.

Any patent publication of, and any patent issuing from, any of theforegoing priority applications is hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein. Moreover, the disclosures of the provisionals arecontained in the Appendix attached hereto, which Appendix isincorporated by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to suction tips for use duringsurgical procedures for the removal of biological debris, such as blood,tissue, and the like, from a surgical site. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to suction tips with anti-cloggingcapabilities for removing biological debris lodged within the suctiontips.

A need exists for improvement in surgical suction tips. This, and otherneeds, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of vacuum removal of biological debris in a surgicalenvironment, the present invention is not limited to use only in vacuumremoval of biological debris in a surgical environment, as will becomeapparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions ofaspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an anti-clogsuction tip apparatus. An exemplary such apparatus includes a suctiontip assembly, including a suction tip having a suction opening at afirst end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachmentportion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, anda channel; and an ejection wire assembly, including an ejection wiredisposed within the channel and an ejection tab integral with orotherwise connected to the ejection wire. Furthermore, applying a forceto the ejection tab advances the ejection wire through the channel suchthat an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip.Additionally, the end portion of the ejection wire entering the suctiontip expels or dislodges debris in the suction tip through the suctionopening.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the end portion of theejection wire includes a ball tip.

In another feature, the suction tip assembly includes a handle.

In still another feature, the suction tip assembly includes a vacuumtunnel opening.

In yet another feature, the ejection wire is inserted into the channelthrough a wire insertion opening.

In a variation of this feature, wire insertion opening is threaded.

In still another feature, the ejection wire assembly further comprisesan inner member disposed between the ejection wire and the ejection tab,an outer member partially surrounding the inner member, and a biasingspring.

In a variation of this feature, the outer member is threaded.

In another variation, the biasing spring biases the ejection tab awayfrom the outer member.

In yet another feature, when dislodging debris in the suction opening,the end portion of the ejection wire does not extend more than threemillimeters beyond the suction opening.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an anti-clog suctiontip apparatus. An exemplary such apparatus includes a suction tip, aninterior of the suction tip defining a suction channel for the removalof debris through suction; and an ejection wire assembly removablyattachable to the suction tip and transitionable between a retractedconfiguration and an advanced configuration. Furthermore, in theretracted configuration, the ejection wire assembly is not disposedwithin the suction channel, and in the advanced configuration, theejection wire assembly is at least partially disposed within the suctionchannel.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of clearingbiological debris from a surgical site. An exemplary such methodincludes providing a suction tip apparatus, including an interiordefining a suction channel, an ejection wire not disposed within thesuction channel, and an ejection tab; attaching the suction tipapparatus to a suction source; activating the suction source to create avacuum force in the suction tip apparatus; placing the suction tipapparatus near the debris, causing the vacuum force to pull the debrisinto the suction tip apparatus; applying force to the ejection tab,causing a tip of the ejection wire to enter the suction channel; anddislodging, via the tip of the ejection wire, debris clogging thesuction channel.

Additional aspects of the present invention include apparatus andmethods for dislodging biological debris clogged in a suction tip, assubstantially shown and described herein.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of suction tip assembly shown as part of theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the suction tip assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the suction tipassembly of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the ejection wire assembly shown aspart of the anti-clog suction tip assembly 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG.1, illustrating operation of the ejection wire assembly when installedin the anti-clog suction tip apparatus, the ejection wire assembly beingshown in an advanced position; and

FIGS. 7a-7d and 8a-8b show additional views of another preferredanti-clog suction tip apparatus in accordance with one or more aspectsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. As should be understood,any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore,any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” isconsidered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out thepresent invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed foradditional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, anyembodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6, no claim element isintended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unlessthe explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in suchclaim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to applyin the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. The anti-clogsuction tip apparatus 10 is adapted to attach to a hose having a suctionsource attached thereto, and is useful during surgical procedures forthe removal of blood, tissue, and the like, from a surgical site. Theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 comprises a suction tip assembly 12and an ejection wire assembly 14.

FIG. 2 is a side view of suction tip assembly 12 shown as part of theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a back view ofthe suction tip assembly 12 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front viewof a portion of the suction tip assembly 12 of FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 2-4, the suction tip assembly 12 includes a suction tip16 having a suction opening 18 at a distal end thereof and a hoseattachment portion 20 at a proximal end thereof. The suction tipassembly 12 further includes a handle portion 22 and an ejection wirechannel 24. At least a portion of the ejection wire channel 24 abuts thesuction tip 16. The ejection wire channel 24 extends from a wireinsertion opening 26 located on the handle 22 to a wire exit opening 28on the suction tip 16 proximate the suction opening 18. In at least onepreferred embodiment, the wire insertion opening 26 is a threadedopening. Furthermore, in at least one preferred embodiment, the handle22 includes a vacuum tunnel opening 29. Covering the vacuum tunnelopening 29 during use of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10increases the vacuum pressure exerted at the suction opening 18.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the ejection wire assembly 14 shown aspart of the anti-clog suction tip assembly 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A illustrates the ejection wire assembly 14 in a retractedposition. FIG. 5B illustrates the ejection wire assembly 14 in anadvanced position.

The ejection wire assembly 14 comprises an ejection wire 30, an outermember 32, an inner member 33, an ejection tab 34, and a biasing spring36. In one or more preferred embodiments, the ejection wire 30 comprisesa semi-rigid cable extending from the inner member 33. The ejection wire30 includes a small ball tip 38 at the end thereof to prevent unintendedinjury during use.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a first end of the inner member 33 isintegral with the ejection tab 34 and a second end of the inner member33 is attached to the ejection wire 30. Furthermore, the outer member 32encompasses at least a portion the inner member 33 (shown in dottedlines). Finally, the biasing spring 36 encircles a portion of the innermember 33 and is configured to bias the ejection tab 34 away from theouter member 32.

In some alternative embodiments, the ejection tab is formed separatelyfrom and is connected to the ejection wire.

As seen best in FIG. 5B, assuming the outer member 32 is immobile, asforce is applied to the ejection tab 34, the ejection tab 34, the innermember 33, and the ejection wire 30 advance in the direction of theapplied force and the biasing spring 36 contracts. Upon removal of theforce, the biasing spring 36 returns to its relaxed position, forcingthe ejection tab 34, the inner member 33 and the ejection wire 30 backto the retracted position of FIG. 5A.

Returning now to FIG. 1, the ejection wire assembly 14 is shownthreadably attached to the suction tip assembly 12 and in a retracedposition. To affix to the ejection wire assembly 14 to the suction tipassembly 12, the ejection wire 30 is first inserted into the wireinsertion opening 26 on the handle. Next, the ejection wire 30 is slidforward to occupy the ejection wire channel 24. Preferably, only uponfull insertion of the ejection wire 30 into the ejection wire channel 24can the outer member 32 be threadably secured to the cable insertionopening 26 in the handle 22.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG.1, showing the ejection wire assembly 14 secured to the suction tipassembly 12 in an advanced position. As discussed previously withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ejection wire assembly 14 is placed inan advanced position by applying force to the ejection tab 34. As forceis applied, the ejection wire 30 moves forward.

When the ejection wire 30 is advanced forward, the ball tip 38 passesthrough the wire exit opening 28 into the suction tip 16 and dislodgesany biological debris clogging the suction tip 16, such as blood,tissue, and the like, to unclog the suction tip 16. Such debris may beexpelled through the through the suction opening 18. In at least onepreferred embodiment, the ball tip 38 does not extend more than threemillimeters beyond (protract from) the suction opening 18 when theejection wire 30 is fully advanced by depression of the ejection tab 34.

To use the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 in a surgical environment,sterile packaging in which the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 isprovided is opened by sterile technique. The anti-clog suction tipapparatus 10 is removed from the packaging and placed on a sterile tableto await use by a surgeon or surgical assistant. A hose attached to asuction source is secured to the hose attachment portion 20. Uponactivation of the suction source, a vacuum is produced within thesuction tip 16, enabling the suction tip 16 to remove biological debris,such as blood, tissue, and the like, from the operation site.

During the course of use, it is believed that the suction tip 16 islikely to become clogged with biological debris. Immediate ejection ofthe debris is oftentimes necessary in the surgical environment. Toremove unwanted debris from the suction tip 16, the user applies forceto the ejection tab 34, causing the ejection wire 30 to advance from theejection wire channel 24, through the wire exit opening 28, and expelthe debris clogged in the suction tip 16 through the suction opening 18.Some debris that is dislodges then may also be suctioned. To retract theejection wire 30, the user removes the applied force from the ejectiontab 34. The biasing spring 36 causes the ejection tab 34 to return toits initial position, thus retracting the ejection wire 30. Whenretracted, the ejection wire 30, and in particular the ball tip 38, isretained within the wire channel 24 and does not obstruct normalsuctioning of the debris during use of the apparatus 10.

An added advantage of an anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is thelocation of the ejection wire assembly 14. More particularly, theejection tab 34 is located on the handle 22 and not in the user's lineof sight and thus does not obstruct the user's view during a surgicalprocedure.

In one or more preferred embodiments, the anti-clog suction tipapparatus 10 is intended to be disposed after a single surgical use.After use, the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 will includebiological and potentially hazardous debris, and thus, should bedisposed according to any applicable HAZMAT protocol.

In at least one preferred embodiment, a secondary wire is supplied to beinserted into the suction tip 16 through the suction opening 18 to morecompletely clear debris if the ejection wire 30 is unable to completelyexpel the debris. It is further contemplated that alternative ejectionwires may be included that have other sizes, dimensions, and profiles ofball tips, and that have wires of different diameters and differentrigidity characteristics.

FIGS. 7a-7d and 8a-8b show additional views of another preferredanti-clog suction tip apparatus 110 in accordance with one or moreaspects of the invention, which apparatus 110 is similar in appearanceto apparatus 10. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus 110 comprises asuction tip assembly 112 and an ejection wire assembly 114.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suction tip apparatus for suctioning debrisfrom a surgical site, comprising: (a) a suction opening at a distal endof a distal portion of the apparatus for the removal of debris throughsuction applied at the suction opening, (b) a hose attachment portionfor attachment to the suction source, (c) a handle portion for handlingof the apparatus, (d) a suction channel extending from the hoseattachment portion through the handle portion and the distal portion tothe suction opening, (e) an ejection wire channel extending from anopening of the handle portion to and opening into the suction channelwhereby the ejection wire channel merges into the such channel, (f) anejection wire extending within the ejection wire channel, and (g) amanually operated control located on the handle portion for manuallymoving the ejection wire out of the ejection wire channel into thesuction channel in a direction toward the suction opening, (h) whereinan integrally formed piece of the suction tip apparatus defines both (1)a part of the ejection wire channel along an extent from the opening ofthe handle portion to the suction channel, and (2) a part of the mergingof the ejection wire channel and the suction channel, and (i) whereinthe ejection wire of the suction tip apparatus is configured totransition from a retracted position, in which retracted position adistal end of the ejection wire is retained within the ejection wirechannel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suctionchannel of the suction tip apparatus, toward an advanced position, inwhich advanced position the ejection wire extends from the ejection wirechannel into and through the suction channel of the suction tipapparatus to the suction opening, whereby advancement of the ejectionwire expels debris from the suction channel.
 2. The suction tipapparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejection wire channel extends from thehandle portion to the distal end of the distal portion of the suctiontip apparatus.
 3. The suction tip apparatus of claim 1, wherein theejection wire is biased away from the suction opening into the ejectionwire channel and out of the suction channel.
 4. The suction tipapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a manually operated controllocated on the handle portion for manually transitioning the ejectionwire assembly from the retracted position to the advanced position. 5.The suction tip apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handle portioncomprises a vacuum tunnel opening, and wherein the manually operatedcontrol is located on the same side of the handle portion as the vacuumtunnel opening.
 6. A suction tip apparatus, comprising: (a) a suctionopening at a distal end of a distal portion of the apparatus for theremoval of debris through suction applied at the suction opening, (b) ahose attachment portion for attachment to a suction source, (c) a handleportion for handling of the apparatus, (d) a suction channel extendingfrom the hose attachment portion through the handle portion and thedistal portion to the suction opening, (e) an ejection wire channelopening into and merging with the suction channel, (f) an ejection wireextending within the ejection wire channel, and (g) a manually operatedcontrol located on the handle portion for manually moving the ejectionwire out of the ejection wire channel into the suction channel in adirection toward the suction opening, (h) wherein an integrally formedpiece of the suction tip apparatus defines both (1) a part of the handleportion, and (2) a part of the ejection wire channel and the suctionchannel at the merger of the ejection wire channel and the suctionchannel, and (i) wherein the ejection wire of the suction tip apparatusis configured to transition from a retracted position, in whichretracted position a distal end of the ejection wire is retained withinthe ejection wire channel and does not obstruct suctioning of debristhrough the suction channel of the suction tip apparatus, toward anadvanced position, in which advanced position the ejection wire extendsfrom the ejection wire channel into and through the suction channel ofthe suction tip apparatus to the suction opening, whereby advancement ofthe ejection wire expels debris from the suction channel.
 7. The suctiontip apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ejection wire channel extends fromthe handle portion to the distal end of the distal portion of thesuction tip apparatus.
 8. The suction tip apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe ejection wire is spring-biased away from the suction opening intothe ejection wire channel and out of the suction channel.
 9. The suctiontip apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a manually operated controlon the handle portion for manually transitioning the ejection wireassembly from the retracted position to the advanced position.
 10. Asuction tip apparatus, comprising: (a) a suction channel having asuction opening for the removal of debris through suction; (b) anejection wire channel opening into the suction channel such that theejection wire channel merges with the suction channel; and (c) anejection wire assembly located in part within a handle portion of thesuction tip apparatus and transitionable between a retracted position inwhich an ejection wire of the ejection wire assembly is not disposedwithin the suction channel, and an advanced position in which theejection wire of the ejection wire assembly is partially disposed withinthe suction channel and extends to the suction opening; (d) wherein anintegrally formed piece of the suction tip apparatus defines both (1) apart of the handle portion, and (2) a part of the ejection wire channeland the suction channel where the ejection wire channel opens into thesuction channel such that the ejection wire channel merges with thesuction channel.
 11. The suction tip apparatus of claim 10, wherein theejection wire is biased away from the suction opening into the ejectionwire channel and out of the suction channel.
 12. The suction tipapparatus of claim 10, further comprising a control on the handleportion for manually transitioning the ejection wire assembly from theretracted position to the advanced position, wherein the controlcomprises a slider.